New Recipes Coming

 The big question I'm getting from people curious about changing their food habits is, "What do you eat?"  The follow-up question is, "Can you give me the recipe?"  It will be easier for me to share my story in "Live Long and Prosper" so stay tuned.  Those of you in my circle of friends will see the recipes first.  My hope is that you will try them with your family and share feedback so I can do some fine-tuning before releasing the book.  I'm getting closer.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

The Dark Side Doesn't Want You to Know This

 War.  Conflict.  Pride.  Prejudice.  Guilt.  Shame.  Hatred.  Where does all of this come from?  Sadly, this is all a result of the fall.  Believe it or not, disobedience doomed all of us.  None are exempt.  The first fall happened long before man was created.  That fall has eternal consequences for all of us.  The dark side desperately wants to take you an me down with them.  This dark side is sinister.  When these dark angels conspire we are vulnerable.  Look around.  Do you sense trouble?   Visible or invisible, it persists.  There is no reprieve.

The dark side doesn't want you know there is hope.  The dark side wants you to believe that no matter what you do you are going to end up in a dark place.  There is hope.  You were created in love and you are loved even though it may not appear that way now.  Proceed with caution.  Recognize that everyone you know and love is also under the influence of the dark side.  Death is at the top of the list.  You cannot escape this.  That's okay.  If you can see death as a doorway to something bigger and better, perhaps you can overcome any fear you have about dying.  Have a great day.

How I Stopped My Hackers

 I would like to thank my friends and family for their quick response to my hack attack.  I feel like my circle of friends behave like cyber neighborhood watch dogs.  I was visiting with my mother in our kitchen yesterday when she opened up her FaceBook page and got a request from a Michael Mulligan, the same imposter who has been trying to steal money from my friends.  As of this morning, this hacker is snuffed out.

If you ever get hacked or if an imposter creates a FaceBook page using your identity, remain calm and move swiftly.  Don't be embarrassed or afraid.  That's what they want you to do, hide.  This will only make the situation worse while your friends get conned by someone posing as yourself.  Be very, very careful.  These hackers appear to be working in teams.  The first hacker copies your identity.  The rest of them swoop in like vultures when you call out for help.  They are ready to direct you to places where the real con begins.  They want referrals to keep their ponzi scheme going and they want your money.  They will falsely tell you that FaceBook employees can't help.  That is pure BS.  My imposter is out of my life because I immediately reported the thievery and FaceBook took action.  Also, I called out each and every hacker that joined in to offer help by attempting to direct me to false sites fully equipped to steal from me.  I shined the spotlight on them and exposed their attacks.

Now is a good time to updated your passwords.  Do this regularly.  Avoid using the same password in multiple places.  Don't answer the phone when the phone number is unknown.  Real friends leave messages and you can call back once you cut out the rift raft.  If and when you do get hacked or you discover someone is using your identity, let your friends know immediately to minimize any damage.  Use credit cards instead of debit cards for maximum fraud protection.  Put a freeze on all three credit bureaus.   Have a great day.

Beware of the Hacker

 It finally happened.  A hacker decided to create a fake FaceBook account using my name.  I was warned by two people in my circle of friends that I was hacked.  One friend actually communicated with the hacker and shut the person down by asking a personal question that only the real Michael Mulligan could answer.  Kudos to my friend for exposing the imposter.  Another friend reported the hacker.  The world is becoming more dangerous because of people like these who want to steal from us.

The hacker hopes you run and hide while they wreak havoc with your identity.  I'm choosing to handle the situation differently.  I'm shining the spot light on the hacker and all of his or her buddies.  The hacker doesn't want my money, he or she wants yours.  The hacker hopes to steal from you by offering something that looks like it's from me.  I will never ask you for money or to participate in some kind of grant program like the hacker did the other day with one of my friends.  I will never attack others or say or do anything that is hurtful, even to the hacker who is attempting to steal my identity.  That doesn't mean this hacker gets a free pass.  Nope.  This hacker is getting called out in the very place where he or she is operating, social media.  Thank you for inspiring me to pen this story.  Stay tuned.  I will be helping my friends and family protect themselves from hackers like the one who infiltrated a few days ago.  Have a great day.

Team Work

If you like basketball, follow women's sports, and live in Iowa, odds are you woke up this morning feeling like you're in Heaven.  Once in a lifetime something happens.  Great coaching.  Coachable players.  Out of this world talent.  Put it all together with a core belief that team work makes the dream work and you have all the right ingredients for success.

I would like to commend the University of Iowa women's basketball team who entered the final four last night when they defeated a strong team from Louisville.  I didn't watch the game live but saw the highlights early this morning.  I'm replaying it here from YouTube because there is a great lesson here.  It's all about sharing.  Take a look at all the passing.  Look at the communication between players.  I don't see any egos on this team.  It's all about finding the open player.  This applies to any area of your life where you would like to improve.  This team also demonstrates how important it is to surround yourself with like-minded people who dream big.  Finally, training hard is critical.  Make sure you put in the time to get your body in shape when you're working on demanding projects.  

Good luck, Iowa Hawkeyes.  We are cheering for you.  Have a great day.

 

The Pounce and the Bounce

Do you ever feel like you're getting pounced?  Maybe fatigue is setting in.  Perhaps it's a feeling of despair.  The pounce can come when you least expect it.  Everything is going well and bam, the sucker punch comes out of nowhere.  It can be deflating.  How do you handle it when you're falling flat on your face?

I have a thought for you.  Bounce.  Yes, bounce.  You are more resilient than you think.  Simply bounce.  I'm headed to my house of worship this morning.  It's time to bounce.  The first step is to get down on my knees and thank God for all the blessings in my life.  This is also a great time to thank God for being there during the challenging times.  Don't let any pounces keep you down.  Have a great day.

Time Off Granted for Ragbrai

The approval came in yesterday from my boss at my day job.  I'm going to be participating in the 50th year edition of Ragbrai, a bike ride across Iowa.  Like last year, I'm only in for part of the ride.  I plan to join the other riders on Wednesday morning after camping out at one of the overnight towns on Tuesday.  That will allow me four nights of camping and four days biking all the way to the Mississippi river at the Iowa/Illinois border. 

I'm super excited to do this come rain or shine.  It's time to get reunited with my bike and get some sunshine on the backroads of Iowa.  There is much training ahead.  For me, this is part of my cross training for my favorite sport, tennis.  This year may be the highest turnout ever.  Stay tuned for more updates.  Have a great day.

Returning the Favor

Funerals are difficult.  No matter how much we seek the silver lining there is still a void when we gather to say goodbye one final time.  Today I would like to share the silver lining from my uncle Tom's celebration of life in Arizona recently.  If you don't know any of my relatives, being around them is like consuming megadoses of dopamine.  I almost felt guilty being so happy at a funeral.  I was fortunate to get one-on-one tips with my uncle that helped me be a better person.  I wanted to pay him back but he insisted that what would bring him joy is if I instead paid it forward.  As sound as this advice is, I'm going to depart from uncle Tom's request for one very special person in my life, my mother.  She is quietly waiting for me to write this story in her guest bedroom so we can visit over breakfast.  I just hope I don't embarrass her too much.

Have you ever heard of a life quake?  I read about a physician who experienced this and it was so bad he gave up his practice.  Depression set in.  He had no clue how to break the cycle.  Some people call it by another name – midlife crisis.  I experienced one of these in my early fifties.  It seems long ago when I shared my challenges with mom.  She listened intently as I spilled the beans.  Once I was done spewing she gave me what I call the "half-time talk."  It's what great coaches do in the locker room when the team is floundering.  Something happens.  The players see the light.  They respond on the field.  It's amazing do watch.  That's what happened to my life.  All my mom did was share how she overcame against all odds.  My five siblings and I are who we are today because of our mother.  She simply never gave up on us.

Thank you, mom, for inspiring me.  I'm so thankful to have thirty days with you in Iowa.  Tomorrow I will resume my "pay it forward" duties inspired by uncle Tom.  Today it's all about returning the favor from your half-time talk.  Thank you for clearing your calendar for a full month so we can enjoy your company.  Have a great day.  P.S, If any of your grandchildren should ever need a half-time talk, I'm going to steal your words you used to get me back on track.

Please Forgive Me if I Offended You

Please pardon my zealousness.  I do believe I touched a nerve yesterday with my question about your earliest birthday memory.  I'm reminded by the comments that there is a resistance to change.  When it comes to food choices, people can get defensive.  Your food choices are personal.  My goal here is to plant seeds about different food choices that may enhance the quality of your life.  This may not be for everyone.  

If you are a member of my family or you are in my circle of friends, I would like to share something from my heart.  I don't want you to exit this world prematurely.  I love you.  I recall the hand-made Father's Day card I made for my dad when I was a preteen.  I collected cigarette buds scattered in our yard and pasted them to dad's card.  The message was like a dagger to his heart..."please quit cigarettes.  I don't want to lose you."  The same is true with my stories about dangerous foods.  I've been to way too many funerals lately.  Please keep in mind that I only want the best for you.  Have a great day.

 

What is Your Earliest Birthday Memory?

Your earliest birthday memory may help you understand why you make the choices you make.  Take a moment and walk down memory lane.  How old were you when you celebrated?  Who was there to celebrate with you?  How did you feel when you were surrounded by loved ones?  Are you passing those same experiences to your loved ones?  The truth is that history does tend to repeat itself.  If your earliest memory of celebrating your birthday is filled with joy, happiness, games, laughter and fun, you want to pass that on to your offspring, right?  Do you remember what you ate when you were celebrating?  If you've been reading my stories, you may have a good idea why I'm asking all these questions about birthdays.  

The story I'm sharing today is the one I wanted to offer yesterday.  I just couldn't do it.  I didn't want to be the grinch of the family since two of my siblings were celebrating birthdays on the same day.  I was entertained by their recollection of early birthdays.  The older sister remembered how her birthday celebration was "interrupted" when our mom needed to rush to the hospital to give birth to our youngest sister.  Now that the birthdays are over, it's time to talk about the elephant in the room.  Yes, it's the birthday cake.  It's also the ice cream.  If today happens to be your birthday or if you have one coming up soon, you may want to stop reading and exit right now.  I'm going to share what happens when you eat one slice of birthday cake.  It's not pretty.  I'm the bad big brother.  At least I waited one day to share what a friend shared in a text message about one slice of birthday cake.  I must admit this made me feel a bit queasy in the stomach.

Here are the facts (thank you to my pharmacist friend, Theresa for sharing)...

Our bloodstream can only handle 5mg/dL of carbohydrates at any one given time.  This is why we have a pancreas (our very own fire hose of insulin that gets the sugar out of our blood and keeps it at a homeostasis level of 5mg/dL at all times).

That cake:  61 grams of carbohydrates which equals 12 times (yes, TWELVE) times the amount of sugar (carbohydrates) that a human body can handle. 

If you live in the United States, you're not done when you eat that slice, are you?  Don't you need to top it off with something sweet to drink?  Don't forget the sandwich that has a bun.  How about some crackers?  How high do you think your insulin is now?  If I were a betting man, I would wager that you're already craving more sugar within the next couple of hours before your insulin levels even had a chance to recover.

I hope I didn't depress you too much here.  Maybe you believe it's too late.  Who knows?  Maybe those permission slips you carry around are enough for you to keep consuming all that sugar.  How many of those do you have?  I'm referring to those pills your doctor is prescribing so you can keep eating all that sugar.  

Let's end on a good note.  In my opinion, it's never too late.  If you think otherwise, please at least consider the generations that are coming into this world now.  Think about creating new birthday memories for them that aren't centered around those gigantic birthday cakes loaded with poison.  Yes, you got that right.  Let's call it what it is...poison.  The good news is you can have more birthdays at the end of your life cycle if you heed this warning.  Have a great day.

Double Birthday Today

Happy birthday to two of my siblings, born on the same day in different years.  Just wanted you to know your brother is thinking about you on your special day.  Speaking of birthdays, the birthday cake is officially off my food list for good.  Ice cream too.  Maybe it's a good thing I'm living so far away from the temptation to eat cake with my sisters.  You may be asking, "What's the harm in one slice?"  Sure, one slice may not seem like a big deal.  It's what comes after the slice that matters to someone like me.  One slice leads to another.  Next, it's the sea salt chocolates.  I find myself drowning in sweets.  Maybe that's why one slice of birthday cake is so dangerous.  The flood gates open and it's almost impossible to walk away.

If today's story is lacking sweetness, don't worry.  I'm working on some alternatives to cake and ice cream that may become reasonable substitutes for future birthday celebrations.  If the food experiments work I promise to share them with you.  Have a great day.

Train Like a Caveman

 There were two things our caveman ancestors needed for survival.  They needed the ability to outrun predators.  They also needed enough speed to chase down their next meal.  It all comes down to the sprint.  When it comes to modern day exercising, think like a caveman and train like a caveman.  Choose short sprints as opposed to marathon-type long distance running.  The real value is in those quick bursts.  Long hours in the gym aren't necessary and may even be counter-productive.  

I'm fortunate to play competitive tennis at an advanced age.  My opponents love to drop shot me when I'm hanging around the baseline.  When I hug the net, they lob over my head.  I may not be the fastest player on the court but I do get my share of opportunities to sprint like my caveman ancestors.  If you happen to be a marathoner, consider the health benefits of the sprint and see what happens to your body.  Have a great day.

Special Acknowledgement to a Long-Time Friend

 For those of you who happen to be life-long learners, I would like to tip my hat to you in today's story.  We are in this together.  Every once in a while we find a gem and our learning is accelerated.  This is what happened to me recently on my food journey.  The feeling is like being a blind mouse trapped in a maze.  Suddenly, there is this revelation.  The blindfold is removed and a way out is illuminated.  That's where I am today.  I have to rework my manuscript based on recent discoveries.  Someone else did much of the work that was necessary for me to change course and avoid the iceberg.  

I'm especially thankful for this friend because I'm losing too many people close to me due to poor life choices, like improper eating.  This is due to false advertising.  The players behind the scenes who are attempting to profit off of their junk foods are responsible.  I'm going to publish my findings and share a way out of the dark maze.  Theresa Lower, thank you for your countless inquiries that made me rethink my own belief system.  You have been studying this much longer than I have and your position as a pharmacist offers a point of view that expands my critical thinking.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Have a great day.

The Breakfast of Champions

Consider the idea that you have been mostly bamboozled when it comes to food choices.  The deeper I dig in my food research/experiments the more I realize that most of what I thought I knew is incorrect.  What I do know is that certain foods cause my body to sound off the five alarm fire bells.  My body goes into defense mode and the result is inflammation.  I have been searching for the why about these foods.  I'm also hoping that the lessons I learn can be passed on to friends and family.

The picture you see here is this morning's breakfast.  It will be my only food until the conclusion of my day job shift.  No snacks.  No lunch.  Just water all day long.  This meal looks far different from what the food authorities recommend.  Remember all the low fat high carb commercials?  I'm not buying what they're selling.  I'm teaching my body to go big on fat without carbs or sugar.  

You may be surprised to know just how I eat the chicken.  First, I prepare my bacon on the stove top.  Next, I add the chicken to the fat from the bacon.  The 1/2 avocado is more fat.  This is the good fat because it's not processed.  The eggs give me protein.  The spinach and the eggs are doused in butter.  The really healthy grass fed butter.  The more fat the better.  My body is really liking my food choices.  This wasn't easy.  I had to teach my body to forget about sugar.  Not easy.  I'll share more later.  Time to get to my day job.  Have a great day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy 30th birthday to our daughter.  Happy birthday to my cousin, Patty.  Happy anniversary to my Zoom partners.  Happy St. Patrick's Day.  This is also the anniversary of my first book, a memoir about my dad's last days on earth.  His name?  Patrick.  Yes, this is a big day in the Mulligan household.  It's also our one year anniversary since we became debt free.  

There is a light layer of snow on the ground today.  The skies are clear.  The winds are howling.  This is not a typical day to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  We never really know what to expect from Mother Nature.  The weather may be cold but our hearts are warm today as we reflect on our blessings.  My dad is in Heaven, reunited with his brother, Tom, for the first time since dad was called up twenty-one years ago.  That's where the real party is.  That's where we will all be one day.  Until that day, we will do our best to do the work we are asked to do on this planet.  For me, this day is a wee bit of a slice of Heaven on earth.  Happy St. Patrick's Day! Have a great day.

Day 75 Catechism in a Year

 This may not seem like a big deal to others but it's a big deal to me.  The youth pastor my mother introduced me to on YouTube hosted a narrated Bible in a Year series that I followed last year and for the first time in my life at age 62 the Bible turned into something rather extraordinary.  I felt closer to God than ever.  What could top a mountaintop experience like that?  Well, if you happen to be in my denomination or even if you're from another branch of Christianity, the answer is the catechism in a year.  

Today is day 75 in this pastor's first ever narration that will also go for an entire year.  What's it all about?  Creation.  God the Father.  God the Son, Jesus.  The Holy Spirit.  2,000 years of wrestling with how everything fits together.  Not easy.  In fact, I wasn't sure I could keep up.  The first couple of weeks were way over my head.  I'm finding my rhythm.  This is going to be a very big year.  If you're curious what I'm learning, just ask.  Have a great day.

Do This When You Lose the Wind in Your Sails

You know the scenario.  Life is good.  The sun is shining.  It seems like every area of your life is golden.  It's  smooth sailing.  Then, something happens.  The wind ceases.  There you are in the middle of the ocean.  Still.  The first time this happened to me I was terrified.  I like action.  I thrive on the fast pace.  When nothing is happening I feel like a fish out of water.

Today's story is dedicated to the type A personalities who live in the fast lane.  Consider the idea that when you lose the wind in your sails perhaps this is for you benefit.  Sounds absurd, doesn't it?  What about all those deadlines?  How in the heck are you going to complete your projects if you're frozen in time?  I firmly believe you can use the quiet times in your life to your advantage.  Stop judging your self-worth on your accomplishments.  Embrace the quiet zones.  They happen to be blessings.  

My life changed when I discovered I can sail anywhere I want to go without any wind.  This is through the art of meditation.  This has become so important to me that it's the first thing I do in the morning before sunrise.  No wind.  No noise.  No interruptions.  No people.  No to do lists.  Nothing.  This is quite refreshing.  Once I return to planet earth I find I'm in a peaceful state for the rest of the day.  I'm ready when the winds pick up.  I don't worry which way the winds are blowing or if there is no wind at all.  The truth is none of us control the wind yet we act as if we do trying to force things.

We are expecting a high of 54º today.  That's 20 degrees warmer than yesterday.  Like the wind, the temperature is also outside my control.  It seems like a lifetime since it's been this warm in my home state of Iowa.  All I can say to you today is I'm thankful it's heating up around here.  I'm excited for Spring to arrive soon.  Perhaps the time period leading up to this when the winds in my sails seemed non-existent has prepared me for what is to come.  Just remember to leave worry behind when you set sail.  Have a great day.

For You

My mom joined my wife and me for a small faith gathering in the social center at our house of worship last night.  We come together every couple of weeks during the season of Lent to help one another prepare for Easter.  Our leader, Anna, shared a moving video about what some mystics claim to see during mass.  While there may be considerable debate about what goes on, this short clip summarizes what visionaries have reported in the past.  What all christians do agree on is that Jesus died for you and me so that the gates to Heaven could be reopened and that we have an opportunity to be with God forever.  

If you happen to be a non-believer, I encourage you to watch this video and get a glimpse of something really special.  If you are a believer, consider this your invitation to come back to your house of worship and thank Jesus for his sacrifice.  Anna asked us to please share this video with others.  If you are moved, could you please pass it on?  Have a great day.

Read This if You are an Outcast

 There have been times in my life when I felt like I didn't belong.  It didn't help when others did things that added to my insecurities.  The good news for these people is they don't have to worry about consequences from me because they have been long forgiven.  My journey from outcast to the person I am today is difficult to explain.  Perhaps the best way I know how to help someone who may be feeling the way I once felt is to share a story from long, long ago.

God spoke to an old man who was married without children.  His wife was long past her prime and unable to conceive.  God told the old man he would be a dad.  Then it happened just like God said.  The wife conceived.  The offspring were considered special.  Hard times fell upon the offspring and they were held captive by numerous nations surrounding them.  God told them to remember who they were but some didn't listen.  They broke away and married outsiders who worshiped false gods.  The offspring who stayed true to their identity resented the rebels.  In fact, one of these groups, the Samaritans, were the most hated.

One day Jesus appeared on the scene.  He picked a group of regular people and asked these people to follow him.  So far so good.  Jesus did some strange things that the followers didn't understand, like going to Samaria to meet a woman who was an outcast.  This woman was not someone who was you would want to hang out with unless you didn't care about your reputation.  Jesus didn't care about her past even though she had been married five times and currently shacking up with someone who was not her husband.

The meeting was out of this world.  You see, Jews and Samaritans weren't supposed to hang out together.  Men weren't supposed to talk to women.  Everything Jesus did when he met this outcast was unorthodox.  Even the woman knew this was wrong.  Jesus asked for water from the well.  Oddly enough it was high noon and it was hotter than hell.  Who hikes miles and miles in the worst part of the day to get water from the well?   Not the women of the town who went at sunrise when the weather was mild.  This outcast didn't belong with them.  Have you ever felt like her?  The best way I can describe what happened that transformed her life is to share the video clip from the Chosen.  Watch it and see for yourself how your life can be better if you happen to feel like you're an outcast.  Have a great day.

Are You a Frog in Hot Water?

I made a mistake.  While helping out in Verona, Wisconsin at my day job my watch battery died.  No big deal.  I searched for a new battery and found what I needed.  I have an old school triathlon watch I have preferred using since my sprint triathlon days of my youth.  Unfortunately, there is no access to the battery unless you have expert tools.  I found a computer geek at Best Buy and he restored my watch with one caveat.  "Your watch is no longer waterproof,"  he said.

Flash forward to my Arizona visit for my uncle Tom's funeral.  I stayed in my childhood home with my mom.  Temps were near perfect, especially for someone like me who resides in a cold, snowy climate.  Her swimming pool was so tempting.  I longed to swim and dipped my toes in the water every day while sunbathing.  Then it happened.  My cousin Joe from mom's side of the family dropped in on my second to last day and we visited in mom's backyard.  I told him about my desire to swim and he told me he would join me if I was serious.  I headed for the deep end and took the polar plunge.  The moment I hit the water I realized I was still wearing my watch.  Yep.  It was no longer waterproof.  My new triathlon watch arrives later today.  

The mistake I made is similar to the frog in hot water.  As the story of the frog goes, if you drop him in boiling water he jumps out.  Smart frog.  If you drop him in my mom's swimming pool at 60º he may be cold but he will be okay while Mother Nature brings some added heat, one degree at a time.  Let's say you slowly add more heat to the pool and it eventually becomes dangerous for the frog.  According to the story, he won't notice until it's too late and he boils to death.

Are you a frog in hot water?  What is going on in your life that may be slowly killing you, one degree at a time?  Toxic relationships that are approaching a boiling point?  Poor food choices that are adding pounds around your waist?  Skipping out on worship?  Maybe it's been years since you stepped foot in your house of worship.  If this is so, your eternal life may end up hotter than that frog in hot water.  This is permanent.  All I'm asking you today is to measure the temperature of your surroundings.  Look inside your head while you're at it.  Are your thoughts slowly becoming negative?  If so, take a polar plunge.  Just make sure your watch is waterproof.  Have a great day.

 

Prayers Coming Your Way

Our church community is in the midst of a 40 hour mission this weekend.  This is in preparation for Easter when we celebrate the Resurrection.  I have been up since midnight praying for your intentions as well as all my family and friends.  When my night watch inside the church concludes I will drive to my day job.  I have a feeling I will sleep deeply tonight.  Have a great day.

Night Watch

 Our house of worship is hosting a 40 hour mission this weekend.  My pastor asked me to cover the night shift which begins at midnight.   The theme is "Divine Mercy."  The challenge for me will be staying awake. I'm working at my day job today and tomorrow so sleep time will be highly limited.  I do have one secret weapon to keep me awake.  All I need to do is think about the people in my circle of friends who could use some prayers for all they are going through.  If this includes you, don't worry.  You're covered.  Your special intentions are also covered.  Besides friends and family, I will be praying for our world.  It's in a dark place.  God has been kicked out.  Church attendance is dropping.  The Dark Side has a tight grip on our society.  The solution is outside of this world.  I will be asking Jesus to comfort those who are suffering.  

If you happen to be friends with my mother on FaceBook, you are probably being flooded with pictures from her month-long visit which began on Wednesday a couple of days ago.  It snowed throughout the day yesterday and she loved it.  Divine Mercy is right up her alley.  I have a feeling she may visit during our 40 hour mission.  I won't expect her to be with me during my night watch.  There are more favorable time slots that are senior citizen friendly for her.  Please keep our family in your prayers during this 40 hour mission which begins at noon today.  Have a great day.

New Chapter in Progress

 Once again my fingers are reunited with my MacBook Pro and I'm free to post stories while using more than one finger at a time.  Not only are my fingers out of captivity, my mother has returned to Iowa for a month-long visit with my wife and me.  We are beyond ecstatic.  

I would like to thank all of you for your hospitality while we were in Arizona for my uncle Tom's funeral.  We arrived home yesterday morning forty minutes ahead of schedule thanks to 100 mph tailwinds.  This is similar to what's going on in my life right now on a spiritual level.  The winds of the Holy Spirit are blowing with hurricane-like intensity in our lives.  I'm not afraid.  Instead, I'm raising my head to the sky and thanking God for all the blessings.  

These next thirty days are going to be really special.  I best get moving.  Thanks again for keeping in touch.  Have a great day.

Time to Go Home

 

It's wheels up early this morning.  We have a VIP traveling home with us, my mother.  She will be with us for thirty days.  We're excited to share some of our favorite places with her.  Some of you were wondering if I ever took a dip in my mom's pool.  The answer is yes.  I would like to thank my cousin Joe on my mother's side of the family for taking the polar plunge with me.  Have a great day.

Mountain Top Experience

 

Wow!  I'm basking in sunshine.  I'm enjoying family time in my childhood neighborhood.  Nothing beats mountaintop experiences in 70° weather.  The only thing missing is a dip in my mother's swimming pool.  The water may be too cold for most but I'm tempted to swim before returning home tomorrow.

It's almost time to say goodbye.  We have a VIP with us on our return flight.  My mother is coming to Iowa for a month-long stay.  She is looking forward to visiting with her grandkids and meeting new family members on my wife's side of the family.  We may not have mountains in Iowa but we do have beautiful lakes and green grass.  

I would like to thank my cousins for their great hospitality during their time of loss.  My mother, my wife, and my siblings are blessed by all of you.  My hope is that you may follow my mother's lead and join me in Iowa for a visit.  As my aunt Helen from Minnesota says, "Mi casa es su casa."

Have a great day.

If These Walls Could Talk

 My family time in the Valley of the Sun is coming to a conclusion soon.  I'm staying with my mom in the same home where I grew up.  The numbers posted on her home are 1008.  Oddly enough, they happen to be the same numbers I dial up every morning to post my blog while in the central time zone.  This is in order to remain consistent with the pacific time zone where this blog was born nearly 5,000 stories ago on the west coast.

The casual observer may not understand what inspires all these stories or why so much of what I do is so precise.  If the walls at 1008 could speak they would have much to say.  For those who once lived within these walls, still live within these walls, or visited us within these walls, you can relax.  Walls don't talk.

All of us on this planet are on a journey.  The way we go about this journey is influenced by our friends and our loved ones.  We are shaped by our experiences.  Take care when you are tempted to judge someone who may not be living what you believe to be his or her best life.  Read the writing on your own wall first.  Erase what causes you pain and forgive those who throw eggs on your wall.  

May God bless the family that grew up at 1008.  The walls I woke up within this morning remain silent.  They rest in peace.  Perhaps they are a reflection of those who call this place home.  Have a great day.

The Mulligan Goodbye

 

When you love someone, goodbyes can be difficult.  I experienced this twice in one day yesterday.  The first time was at the final graveside ceremony for Dr. Thomas F. Mulligan.  The color guard presented the American flag to my uncle's bride of 65 years while family and friends stood in support beneath the shade of an old oak tree. The color guard moved with absolute precision reminiscent of my uncle's daily life as well as my own dad's life.  The air was still.  Not even a light breeze.  The sounds of the color guard playing "Taps" resonated throughout the cemetery grounds.  It was over.  This was the final act.  Time to go home.

"You're coming over to Steve's," shouted out one of my cousins, referring to an after party for the attendees.  Time passed quickly at the party.  The winds were back in my sails again.  My head was spinning as I observed my relatives interacting with great joy not typical in times of loss.  I pictured all those in Heaven looking down at our gathering.  Cousin John brought our uncle Jim back to life again with his near perfect imitation of our uncle interacting with us in our childhood.  Nephews and nieces lined up outside to learn how to play ping pong.  This is how it starts.  Like Claire, who set aside her crutches and sat on the couch beside her uncle Jack and talked about her storied journey from club soccer to high school where she played badminton and won a state title.  Her injury from a skiing accident would soon be in her rear view mirror.  Claire beamed with one of those tooth paste commercial smiles when she shared her plans to enter medical school.

It was time to say goodbye.  Not easy.  Mulligan moments like these tend to revolve around weddings and funerals.  The good news for us is that the only way you can distinguish one from the other is from the colors.  Whether we are sporting black or white, we are joyful.  All I can say is I'm thankful to be a part of this amazing family.  Have a great day.

RIP Uncle Tom

Today is the final ceremony for my uncle Tom Mulligan.  He will be laid to rest with military honors this morning.  His celebration of life was epic.  Like his father, Dr. VA Mulligan, who preceded him in death be exactly 50 years to the day, the church was standing room only.  I was surrounded by eight cousins who called him dad, uncle Tom's loving wife of 65 years, my mother, my five siblings, and some of my favorite people in the world.

This morning we will head to the cemetery to say our final goodbyes.  All I can say this morning is how thankful I am to be a member of this family.  Have a great day!

Time to Say Goodbye

 He's already gone.  Uncle Tom checked into Heaven exactly one week ago on the 50th anniversary of his dad's passing.  Coincidence?  Maybe.  If you know my uncle you may think otherwise.  Rumor has it that my uncle and his brothers all wanted to have St. Patrick's Day babies.  My gut tells me that my dad, Patrick, wanted to put this on his resumé.  By the way, happy birthday to my three sisters who, coincidentally, are all born in the month of March.  Happy birthday to my cousin Mary, also born in March.  And let's not forget Patty Mulligan, who, as predicted by her dad, is celebrating her birthday one week from today.  I don't want to leave my daughter out either who happens to share her March 17th birthday with my first cousin.

If any rumors of the grandkids playing "Last one to touch granddad" come up during our family reunion, let me just say that was fifty years ago and I can neither confirm or deny such shenanigans.  Let's just say we Mulligans have our own unique way of finding joy at all times and under all circumstances with maybe one exception – showing up at elementary school with matching buzz haircuts.  My two brothers and I got our military grade cuts using the lowest setting.  Uncle Tom preferred not to put those plastic clips on his razor, once again winning top prize for shortest hair at MHT.  The support group for anyone who needs counseling will take place at the table right to another reception table for the members of the "I'm married/no longer married to a Mulligan group.  This group certainly, in my opinion, will have the best seats in the house when it's their turn to be with our Lord and all the others who have passed before us.  RIP, uncle Tom.  Have a great day.

Wheels Up Tonight

Family time ahead.  Yes, it's a funeral.  It's the kind of funeral you want to attend because the congregation will be filled with people who know how to celebrate a life well-lived.  Sure, many are grieving.  That's normal.  The good news here is we know Dr. Thomas Mulligan is now in a place where it's always sunny. No, it's not Philadelphia, it's Heaven.

Nonbelievers may ask, "How can you be so sure your uncle made it in?"  Is it because your uncle's ears perked up when he heard the message, "Be fruitful and multiply"?  Is it because the Tom and Teresa Mulligan team stayed married of 65 years and didn't give up on each when the weather got stormy?  Is it because Dr. Mulligan helped so many who were slipping?  We can all agree that it certainly isn't easy to raise eight kids in these times.  We can agree that staying married for six and half decades isn't easy.  We can certainly agree that every marriage has it's storms and many give up on their vows before death.  So, how do I know for sure that my dad's oldest living brother is now in Heaven?  I believe my uncle made it for one reason...he asked Jesus to forgive him for his sins.  Rumor has it that he took a mulligan on the Last Rites and got another opportunity shortly before he crossed the finish line and entered paradise.  

I would like to thank my boss at my day job for allowing me to be with my family during this time of loss.  My teammates will be working extra hard to cover for me while I'm away.  I'm much appreciative.  I'm headed for the Valley of the Sun.  It may not be Heaven but it will sure feel like it when I get there after all the recent winter storms in Iowa.  Have a great day.

Visit Mulligan's Island

 Where is Mulligan's Island?  It's anywhere my first cousin, Mark Mulligan, happens to be sharing his happiness with others.  Usually, it's south of the border where he deported himself in his early youth.  The cool thing about Mulligan's Island is you can visit any time you want from the comfort of your home while watching his world famous show playing every Monday evening.  

When God commanded us to "Honor your father and mother," Mark did this in epic Mulligan style by dedicating last Monday's show to his dad.  Mark shared inspiring stories, like when his dad took him out of school one day so they could fly to San Diego to watch my favorite football team, the San Diego (now LA) Chargers play.  Forget going flying on a commercial jet, that is unless you want to hang out with another fabulous cousin, Molly, who has been serving others for more than three decades.  Uncle Tom flew Mark in his very own Cessna.  He repeated this act of kindness six more times with each child for the entire home season.  David, the youngest in this generation of Mulligans wasn't born yet so he missed out on Dan Fouts and the Air Coryell days.  

Make sure you see the show that made me ball my eyes out.  If you ever get a chance, make sure you visit Mulligans Island in person.  As my dad used to say, "Take your coat off and stay awhile."  Have a great day.

Click to visit Mulligan's Island